The moment Mia Kane opened her eyes, she saw a familiar face.

A wave of grievance washed over her, and she threw her arms around Adrian Preston’s neck, hugging him tightly.

She was as helpless as a child.

Adrian’s heart ached for her. He stroked her head repeatedly and comforted her in a soft voice, "I’m sorry I’m late."

Adrian had thought the two of them were carried away in a cleaning cart and had been tracking that vehicle, never expecting it was just a diversion.

He immediately realized his mistake and turned back, but he had been delayed on the road for too long.

By the time he got back, the press conference was nearly over.

Mia cried for a while before she finally calmed down.

She didn’t blame Adrian. Anyone would have mistaken it for a kidnapping, but in reality, it was just Chase Lockwood’s scheme to make her miss the press conference.

"Is Shannon Preston okay?"

Something suddenly occurred to her.

No matter how much she disliked her, Shannon was still Adrian’s sister. If something had happened to her, Mia would blame herself.

At the time, she hadn’t been thinking clearly; she was just desperate to get to the conference, so she had left her in the janitor’s closet.

"She’s fine. But the cut on your leg is too deep. It’s gotten infected and inflamed, and it might leave a scar."

The wound was on her calf, and it would be visible if she wore a shorter skirt in the summer.

"It’s fine. I think it was worth it."

Mia was surprisingly nonchalant about it.

After all, what she wanted most in that moment was an apology from Vivian Lynch.

It was just a shame it wasn’t an apology for being a homewrecker.

But there was still plenty of time. She’d get her chance eventually.

"It must have... hurt a lot."

He looked at her, his heart aching.

Mia couldn’t help but think back. They had given her an anesthetic at the time, so she hadn’t felt anything at first.

She’d had to viciously aggravate the wound just to feel the pain.

Later, when the anesthetic wore off, the pain became more and more distinct, like it was boring into her very bones.

"It’s all in the past now,"

she said, feigning nonchalance.

Adrian pulled her into his arms again, his heart aching for her.

This was Mia for you—strong-willed and stubborn. Whatever she set her mind to, she would accomplish, no matter the cost.

Just then, Theo Thorne knocked on the door.

"Adrian, sorry to bother you... Miss Shannon is awake. She’s crying and making a scene. It seems she’s terrified."

"You should go see her."

Mia said at the opportune moment.

’Even if I didn’t say anything, Adrian would have gone to see her anyway.’

’The anxious look on his face wasn’t fake. When he heard Shannon was awake, there was a clear look of joy.’

"I’ll go check on her, then. I’ll be back later."

"Okay."

She tried her best to keep her tone level.

After Adrian left, the hospital room felt empty and almost too quiet.

The faint, fresh scent of mint that belonged to him still lingered in the air.

Feeling restless, she picked up her phone, wanting to see the buzz the press conference had generated. But unexpectedly, a top-tier celebrity’s career had just imploded over a tax evasion scandal.

The buzz completely overshadowed Vivian Lynch’s apology.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell if it was a coincidence or if someone had orchestrated it.

Still, her own incident had stirred up a fair amount of discussion. Opinions online were all over the place. Some said she had deliberately set a trap, calling her a deep schemer.

Others said that Vivian Lynch, despite not being an insider, was too arrogant. She flaunted her man’s wealth and spent recklessly, as if terrified people wouldn’t know she was about to marry into a rich family.

Some said Vivian Lynch had brought it on herself.

And still others said Mia was being too aggressive.

Mia skimmed through the comments but didn’t take them to heart. People would say what they wanted to say; she couldn’t control their mouths. All she could do was manage herself and not let it affect her.

She even did a specific search, worried that the story about her nearly being assaulted might have leaked.

But to her surprise, there wasn’t a whisper about it online.

It seemed the prominent families who attended the banquet were all tight-lipped. After all, with the Preston and Lockwood families joining forces to apply pressure, anyone who dared to speak out of turn would likely be completely blacklisted.

Pressure from just one family might not have been enough, but with the two of them united, who would dare to cross them?

Mia was about to turn off her phone and rest when she scrolled past a blurry photo.

The person who posted it was likely some socialite, and the caption included keywords like "wedding of the century."

In the picture, everyone was standing, clapping, and cheering. Someone had managed to capture a shadowy glimpse of them through a gap in the crowd.

The couple on stage was passionately kissing.

And off-stage, these two were also embracing and kissing when no one was looking.

Someone had replied below: "I dub thee the most atmospheric photo ever."

Mia zoomed in, then zoomed in again. Maybe it was because of a filter, but the image was indistinct; she could only make out the two figures’ silhouettes.

Mia was certain it was her and Adrian.

Their secret kiss had been secretly photographed and posted online.

Thankfully, it wasn’t clear enough, and the person who posted it didn’t offer an explanation, so netizens had no idea who it was.

Mia turned off her phone, but then, as if guided by some unseen force, she turned it back on and quietly saved the picture.

’This one... is actually quite beautiful...’

「Meanwhile, in the next room.」

After Shannon Preston came to, she cried until she was out of breath.

When she saw Adrian arrive, she opened her arms with a wronged expression and hugged him tightly.

"Brother, it was so scary... I thought I’d never see you again."

"How could that be?"

Adrian comforted her softly, "I was too careless this time. It won’t happen again. It’s all over now, don’t be afraid."

"Your sister-in-law... is she okay? Brother, did you find out who did it? You have to punish them severely! Is she really upset that she missed the press conference?"

Shannon had just woken up and didn’t know what had happened afterwards.

"She didn’t miss it. She... hurt herself to stay conscious and go. No, that wound is no joke. We’ll need to get some scar removal cream."

Adrian remembered how Shannon would frantically try to whiten and fade a pimple mark, terrified of leaving the slightest bit of hyperpigmentation.

Girls care about their looks. Mia was just putting on a brave face, but that didn’t mean people should ignore the fact that, at heart, she was still a delicate girl.

Every girl deserves to be cherished and protected.

"Theo, you stay with Shannon. I’m going back to be with your sister-in-law."

Adrian had arrived in a hurry, and he left just as quickly.

Shannon was dumbfounded. What in the world had happened while she was unconscious?

"Brother, I’m not okay yet... Brother..."

She called after him, but Adrian had already rushed away.

Adrian picked up his phone and consulted a specialist, asking for the gentlest and most effective scar treatment.

When Adrian returned, he saw Mia struggling to get up, trying to move into her wheelchair.

A nurse was there to help, so it wasn’t that difficult.

He strode forward, effortlessly lifted her up, and placed her in the wheelchair.

She froze. "Why are you back? Weren’t you going to see Shannon?"

"She’s fine, just a little shaken up. Your injury is more serious. I came to see you."

"I’m fine too. If you want to be with her, then go. She’s timid, she must be terrified."

"I’ve already asked Theo to stay with her. Do you want to go out? I can push you."

"Yeah, let’s go out and get some sun."

Adrian pushed her downstairs to the courtyard out back to soak up some sun.

This was the inpatient area, and there was a recreational space below that was quite crowded.

Mia sat in her wheelchair, contentedly basking in the sun like a lazy cat.

"Adrian, I’m a little thirsty. Could you go get me a glass of water?"

"Okay. Wait here for me."

Adrian left. She closed her eyes to rest, feeling perfectly at ease.

Just then, someone started shaking her leg.

She looked down and saw a scrawny little boy with a pale face, dressed in an oversized hospital gown. The sight was heart-wrenching.

"What’s wrong, little guy?"

Mia asked with concern.

"Miss, you’re so pretty."

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Miss..." The little boy suddenly grew bashful and said shyly, "Miss, in that case... can you be my wife and marry me?"